Looking for things to do this week in NYC, or even today? Scroll no further, we’ve found perfectly selected events and happenings that you should check out! From brand new museum exhibitions to the best summer activities, there’s so much to do! Here’s Secret NYC’s picks for the best things to do in NYC before the weekend rolls around:
1. NYC Restaurant Week
Take advantage of NYC’s Restaurant Week (happening through August 18), and try out some of NYC’s best restaurants at a great price! Participating eateries around the city are serving special prix-fixe dining menus for a limited time, many of them being 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners at $30, $45 and $60. It’s only happening during the week (not Saturdays and Sundays), and some names included are The Fulton, Casa Bond, and more. See our list of the best Restaurant Week deals here!
2. Harlem Week
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Harlem Week is happening now…honoring the best food, residents, businesses, and arts of the renowned NYC neighborhood. From now until August 18, there are both in-person and virtual events highlighting the African, Caribbean and Hispanic history of the district. Events range from live performances to film festivals, and so much more! Learn more about how Harlem is celebrating their area and see the full lineup here.
3. MoMA PS1 Warm Up
Back again for summer 2024, MoMA PS1’s signature summer music series, Warm Up, is happening on select dates throughout August, with some special performances at the museum’s outdoor space. The one-of-a-kind electronic dance series brings a unique lineup of DJs to the MoMA PS1 courtyard, performing on a commissioned stage designed by artist Stewart Uoo. This year’s lineup includes musicians from Detroit, São Paulo, Miami, Los Angeles, London, and more. Learn more about the event series and how to grab tickets here!
4. Movies With A View in Brooklyn Bridge Park
One of our favorite free outdoor movie series is in full swing in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Movies with a View in collaboration with Pluto TV. They’re hosting free screenings on Thursdays throughout August. See the full schedule for the summer here!
6. Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn
Paramount+ is continuing to host their free outdoor movie series in NYC with screenings happening in Fort Greene Park and Coney Island! The movies are free and open to the public starting around sunset (8 pm). Be warned though that these events get super packed, so we suggest showing up a few hours early to secure a spot on the lawn! Learn more about the Movie Night series and see the full lineup here.
7. Coney Island Fireworks at Luna Park
Friday Night Fireworks are back at Luna Park for the 2024 season and they’ll be doing their special “Friday Night Fireworks” again this week. The stunning show will light up the Coney Island Boardwalk and look extremely beautiful over the rides and famous Wonder Wheel. It’s completely free and starts at 9:30 pm!
8. Free yoga at Bryant Park
Bryant Park Yoga presented by CALIA, a free yoga series in the heart of Midtown is happening this week, with classes on both Tuesday at 10 am and Wednesday at 6 pm. Instructors from all across NYC will lead classes, including an Equinox+ yoga teacher, a yoga researcher, and many more NYC-based talent. It’s completely free, you just have to bring your own mat and water! Learn more here.
9. A “The Drew Barrymore Show” pop-up at the Paley Museum
A brand new pop-up recently opened at The Paley Museum paying homage to the daytime TV show The Drew Barrymore Show. The exhibit will allow fans to become immersed in the syndicated daytime show, like sitting at the Drew’s News desk, writing a letter to Drew herself and placing it in the “Dear Drew” mailbox, and seeing a ton of other iconic pieces from her set. Learn more about the limited time pop up here!
10. Margarita Beach pop-up at Loreley Beer Garden
Stop by Loreley Beer Garden this week, since they recently launched their summer activation “Margarita Beach” happening for the new few months! They are serving plenty of festive drinks all summer long including Unicorn Frozen Margaritas, Frosé Flamingos, Margaritas on Tap, and more. Plus, their outdoor area has turned into beach-y summer decor to fit the vibe. Stop by this LES spot this week for a refreshing drink to beat the heat!
11. From Paul Revere to Edward Hopper, New-York Historical Society
New-York Historical Society recently debuted a brand new exhibit, showcasing more than 140 prints, drawings, and watercolors from one of the most admired collections of historical American works on paper. From Paul Revere to Edward Hopper offers rare glimpses into the history of our country, with early 18th-century portraits of Indigenous leaders, picturesque views of towns and cities, inspiring landscapes, dramatic images of historic events, and popular prints on display. Learn more about the new exhibit here!
12. Swimming in NYC
While we still continue to fight this heat wave that’s blistering NYC, the city’s public pools are officially open for the season! The pool hours are 11 am – 7 pm throughout the season with a pool cleaning from 3 – 4 pm! Check out our favorite free pools that may be near you here! And more importantly our guide to staying cool during these trying times here.
13. Swimming in NYC’s hotel & rooftop pools
Stay cool this week and stop by one of NYC’s rooftop pools to take a little dip! From Williamsburg to SoHo, there’s plenty of different cabana and day pass options where you can go swimming to escape the heat. Check out our favorite hotel and rooftop pools you can swim in (for a cost) here!
14. Free outdoor concerts
Plenty of free outdoor concerts are happening this week, with many series kicking off for the summer as well! For example, the free Backyard at Hudson Yards happens on Wednesday, bringing some of music’s up and coming artists to NYC. See all of the free outdoor concerts happening in NYC this week here.
15. Summer for the City at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center’s annual summer programming “Summer for the City” is in full swing now, with over 200 free or choose-what-you-pay activities coming to NYC this summer. We’re talking everything from live music performances to interactive experiences to DJ sets! The series will be going all summer long, and you can check out the full summer schedule here!
16. Bryant Park Picnic Performances
One of our favorite summertime outdoor concert series continues this week in Bryant Park on Friday! The park’s lineup changes each week with shows typically starting at 7 pm on the lawn and it’s completely free! Learn more and see the whole summer’s Picnic Performances lineup here.
17. Films on the Green Festival
Beloved French film festival Films on the Green is happening during the week through September bringing all kinds of French film screenings to the Big Apple. Each movie is somewhat Olympics-themed honoring this summer’s games in Paris. The movie usually take place 7:30 pm at various parks around NYC and are free and open to the public! Learn more here.
18. Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Now in full swing, Brooklyn Bridge Park is hosting their annual free kayaking program, which grants access to boats all summer long! No matter your skill, you’ll be able to partake in a free 20 minute kayak session around NYC waters. Sessions this week will happen on Wednesday and Thursday from 5 – 7 pm. Learn more about it and RSVP here!
19. Wonderland: Curious Nature
The New York Botanical Garden just unveiled a brand new, enchanting exhibition, Wonderland: Curious Nature, which is based off the popular fairytale of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The one-of-a-kind botanical experience lets you get up close and personal with settings, sights, and scents inspired by the classic tale and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.
We’re talking magnificent flower displays, contemporary art installations, fantastical tea parties and a whole lot more. It’s officially open now, and you can learn more about the exhibit here!
20. Banksy Museum
New York City officially has a brand new Banksy-inspired museum! The Banksy Museum has opened up on Canal Street and features over 160 Banksy-inspired works created by a number of other anonymous street artists…including the likes of “Girl with Balloon” and “Flower Thrower.” It’s 15,000 square feet of greatness, and a must-visit for any fan of the artist.
🎈 Grab tickets to The Banksy Museum here!
21. Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry
Stop by the American Museum of Natural History this week, who just unveiled a new exhibition showcasing stunning jewelry pieces that trace the history of hip-hop from the 1980s to today. It celebrates hip-hop’s cultural influence through stunning jewelry, boasting some of the most impressive chains and accessories you’ve ever seen…like Nicki Minaj’s sparkling ‘Barbie’ pendant, and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, FERG, and Tyler, the Creator, among others. It’s open now and you can learn more about it here.
22. Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion
The Met Gala is now behind us, but that now means The Met’s exhibit in which the night’s theme was centered around, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, is open to the public! The Costume Institute’s spring 2024 exhibition features approximately 220 garments and accessories spanning four centuries, and taps into themes of nature. What makes it incredible is the exhibit invokes sensory elements, allowing you to hear, touch, and smell it too. Learn more about the exhibit here!
23. The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj
The Metropolitan Museum of Art officially have unveiled their newest rooftop exhibition for 2024, and this year’s commission is courtesy of Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj. His exhibition, Arbetare, is inspired by inspired by childhood doodles and other upbringing memories from the traumatic environmental conflicts in the ’90s in his region. Learn more about the exhibition here!
24. Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm
Stop by the Brooklyn Museum to check out a brand new photography exhibition straight from the camera of The Beatles star Paul McCartney! The collection showcases 250+ photos from his traveling Pentax camera, portraying an inside look at the frenzy of Beatlemania in 1963–64. From chronicles on their buzzing US tour to never-before-seen images of the bandmates, this personal exhibit is not to be missed by Beatles fans! Learn more about the exhibit and plan your visit here!
25. Outdoor street fairs
Get your walking shoes on because NYC’s summer street fairs are officially open for business! This week alone we have plenty of choose from, like the 52nd St Fair and Hester Street Fair, but you can see the whole list of places to shop outdoors this week here!
26. Pickleball at Wollman Rink
CityPickle’s pickleball courts are officially back in Central Park this year, after a smashing debut last summer! Wollman Rink has transformed into 14 pickleball courts, where players can come put their skills to the test! Court hours run from 8 am to 9 pm, with prices of $10 per player during off-peak times and $12.50 per player during peak hours. Learn more about CityPickle’s return and reserve your spot here!
27. “The Insect World” at IMAGINARI
IMAGINARI, an immersive gallery experience in Hudson Square just opened a brand new exhibit called “The Insect World”, and we suggest checking it out this week! This larger-than-life experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with bugs, with features like towering 6-foot bees and flowers, a magnificent 12-foot cherry blossom tree adorned with over 200 monarch butterflies, a metamorphosis milkweed garden teeming with caterpillars, and 6-foot tall clouds surrounded by giant morpho butterflies.
Plus there will be tons of interactive programs like beekeeping, floral design workshops, and more! Learn more about the exhibit here!
28. Whitney Biennial: Even Better Than the Real Thing
The Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Whitney Biennial is officially up and running! The longest-running survey of contemporary art in the country features 71 artists and collectives, displaying different works and exhibits themed on today’s most important issues. This year’s rendition, Even Better Than the Real Thing dives deep into how the world of AI is affecting society. Learn more about the Whitney Biennial 2024 here.
29. Apollo: When We Went to the Moon
The Intrepid Museum recently opened a brand new astronomical exhibit exploring the history of the Apollo program and setting the stage for NASA’s current Moon to Mars campaign. Apollo: When We Went to the Moon shows off rare media, photographs, and rarely-seen artifacts from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® archives, and tells the tale of what it took to beat the Soviet Union and be the first on the moon. Learn more about this enthralling new exhibit here!
30. Smorgasburg
Our favorite open-air food market is officially back open for the 2024 season, and they’ll be popping up all weekend long, starting Friday in the Financial District! You’ll be able to stop by the row of vendors selling mouthwatering food from 11 am – 6 pm at The Oculus, near Fulton St and Church St. Plus, during the weekend their Saturday location in Williamsburg and Sunday location in Prospect Park will be open too. Learn more here.
31. Beaches in NYC
New York City’s public beaches are still open for the summer and will continue to welcome visitors through September 8, 2024. Make the most out of the city’s final summer days, and escape to amazing spots like Rockaway Beach, Coney Island, and more. See our full list of NYC’s best beaches here!
32. Broadway Shows
The theater is always alive during the week, with nearly every Broadway show offering weekday performances. From Aladdin to The Book of Mormon, there’s many options to choose from. Check out every show that’s playing on Broadway this week here.
33. Brunch in NYC
Start off your New York City morning with a tasty martini, scrumptious stack of pancakes, and avocado toast! Brunch in NYC is now a food and drink staple in the city, and there are so many great places to try out. Grab a late morning/early afternoon reservation at one of these NYC brunch spots!
34. Night clubs in NYC
Looking for somewhere to dance out on the town this week? From Manhattan dancefloors to under-the-radar Brooklyn clubs, there’s so many spots for nightlife in NYC. Check out our favorite places to dance in New York City right now here.
35. Best restaurants in NYC
Treat yourself to a lovely midweek dinner at one of NYC’s most tastiest restaurants! From pasta and Italian to the finest sushi around, there’s so many great dining spots to be discovered! Check out the best restaurants in NYC right now here.